During a meeting with senior journalists in Islamabad, the premier said, “Nobody in the country supports the illegal and extra-constitutional agenda of two political groups [PTI and PAT].”
Further, the premier claimed that 11 of 12 political parties in Parliament are supporting the government.
“Today all political forces are on the same page and the government will fully respect the mandate of the people.”
Refuting earlier allegations of PTI chairman Imran Khan and PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri that the government was planning to crackdown on their workers, Nawaz ruled out the possibility of the use of force against the protesters.
Nawaz reiterated that the government wants to resolve the current political crisis through dialogue.
“The country cannot afford the current situation as the crisis can harm the country.”
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and six other federal ministers were also present during the meeting.
Later on during the day, Shahbaz Sharif said that Nawaz Sharif resigning is out of the question and so is holding midterm elections.
Nawaz to address NA on Friday
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will make a speech in the National Assembly on Friday, an official statement said.
Press Information Department (PID) in a statement said Prime Minister will address National Assembly around 12 noon.
The Premier, who has been regularly attending the national assembly during the ongoing session, was expected to make a speech on Thursday, however the government opted to wait for a resolution in favour of the government to be passed by the House first.
Govt will avoid use of force
Talking to Express News, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that the government will avoid the use of force against protesters. “Not just the people watching the protests but the protesters themselves are getting tired of this situation,” he added.
He agreed that the situation should be resolved as soon as possible, since protests are negatively impacting the country’s economy. He expressed hope that the negotiations will be successful.
Asif added that the government has no intention to launch crackdown on the participants of the sit-ins or to arrest Imran Khan.
Referring to Qadri’s statements about 25,000 PAT workers under police custody, Asif said that any person arrested under false charges will be released immediately once a list of such individuals is produced.
Breakthrough expected
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid on Thursday afternoon said that no political party supports the demand for the prime minister’s resignation through long marches and pressure tactics.
The information minister said that positive results are expected of the dialogue process, adding that the PML-N has a clear stand that it will not accept unconstitutional demand of Prime Minister's resignation.
He said that the PML-N will not accept the unconstitutional demand of the prime minister's resignation.
To a question, he said the armed forces are playing their role while remaining within the ambit of the constitution.
COMMENTS (61)
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Crisis will surely deepen as NS says but it will deepen within Raiwind Palaces only. Every shehzada and shahzadi will try to fly to Dubai or London in haste.
In my Opinion things will improve with the resignation of the sitting prime minister
If you resign, the crisis would certainly deepen for you Mr Sharif! You and your colleagues from PPP would be held accountable! So a resignation is the last thing that will suit you. For the nation, however, it will be the best possible outcome.
Go Nawaz Go
"Crisis would deepen if I resign, says PM Nawaz" is what Tribune captions and I dare not dispute PM but nevertheless I want a categorical answer or explanation as to what will happen then if he resigns. Secondly, I wish all those who comment must please personify themselves like me. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
you are an elected leader, these extra-judicial, unconstitutional thugs should not and cannot remove you illegally, it will be worse than 1999. Anyone who can gather a million people in a country of 200 million will be able to topple governments.
Install Modi as PM of Pakistan also...
NS no need to resign. Just wait it out and let these people sit in front of the Parliament for a month and go about your activties. They will leave themselves when they realize nobody is even ready to listen to them.
IK's huffing and puffing and bluffing would come to no avail. Should he fail, dharna politics as a tool of pressurizing would receive a severe set back.
Hey what crisis? No one will miss an incompetent PM and his corrupt entourage.
PM should not resign just because a mob of few thousand PTI and TUQ thugs have made the capital hostage. There is a way in constitution to send PM packing. If PM resigns then for sure it will set the wrong precedent for mobs to use street violence to topple elected governments. PTI and TUQ in this case are behaving no different than TTP, and if violence erupts, there will be no quick end to it.
@Nosheen: ALLAH never save corrupt. He give them more time till they come to the pointed where they starte believing them self as GOD like and then what happen to them. You can read history of Shah of iran, husni Mubarak, saddam and ferron.
Ridiculous still no Hungama nation is waiting for somekind of thrill, action, please go ahead for Duma Dum Mustay Qulandar
This is not true. We have seen president like zardari ruled Pakistan for 5 years nothing happened except PPP and PMLN leaders got rich on public funds. Infact it will be good for the country to get rid of corrupt politician that steal public wealth to increase their foreign accounts. Fair and free election without corruption is the only answer to put this to end
Yet you should resign. Come back without your family members and without arrogance. Come back with humility and sincerity, and people may reelect you back. You have a program which resonates with people; but people are not sure of your honesty and integrity.
Only Musharraf is good for the country. How much his government now looks like paradise. We had peace, development, and country was on the right path - until these looters invaded Pakistan once again. Long live Musharraf!
Yesssss. Ifs and butts, Means If I resign, All 'BUTTS' would be in deep crisis:)
It may be still time for NS to atone for his sins. Fire the defense minister who bad mouthed the forces. Get a foreign minister' both should be acceptable to armed forces. And promise to forces you will never try to undermine them.otherwise all the kings(Saudi) men and kings horse(money)would not save your Takht. You may be right but there is something called " dead right". I am no fan of ik or tuk they are just puppets . Some puppets start thinking they are for real. Also get rid of "Kashmiri toula "surrounding you and give you awful advice.
sorry mr Nawaz Sharif, you have to resign, you disgraced this nation more then Musharraf and your time of ruling has ended so please resign and leave the nation and enjoy your bankrupt money in Saudi Arabia, If you don't resign then crowd and people are gonna become so hot headed that they will think of you as secondhosni mubarak. Your time is up and you have become old so resign and go to Saudi Arabia enjoy your money in great palaces and leave Pakistan, cuz people in there are getting furious over your government.
The brutal killings in Model Town is enough a reason for a civilized, honest or God fearing person to resign. In my opinion both CM and PM should have resigned days ago. The scene of Gullu Butt smashing vehicle infront of police standing is enough a proof of the type of psyche of the Govt. It was quite scared on the arrival of PAT chief so much so that it ordered to remove the barricades around PAT's seretariat. If the Govt. had the support of majority, then why were they so scared of PAT?
There are other valid reasons as well for resignation, as pointed out by PAT charter of demands. But, in order to understand those reasons, one has to go and think 'out of the box' because of we have been used to the Pakistan's current system of governance for long. There are 67 years passed after formation of Pakistan. Today, only the changes done on revolutionary basis can alter the fortune and direction of where Pakistan is currently and slowly heading to.
Long live Nawaz Sharif.
Nawaz Sharif should continue his efforts for the progress of the country. Haters will continue their hate. Allah save Nawaz Sharif from the hate of haters.
Whole Shrif family is not Pak.. Pak can live without Sharif family too. ..
So u mean Pak crisis = Sharif family is not in power
@Obedient: nawaz sharif should not resigned as qdri and imran donot know what to do their aim is to destroy the country.
Corruption / kickbacks will be finished if You (Nawaz Sharif) Resign. With respect to autonomous accountability.
@backfoot: Now, would the Supreme Court york IK?
@Obedient: Why should an elected Prime Minister resign in this manner? It would only set a bad example. Then any time a mob shows up in Islamabad and calls for a leader to resign, he should run away - No way. By appeasing mob rule what right does anyone have to deny the Taleban the same tactic? They too can march to the capital and call for resignations even though they too are a small minority.
Nawaz Butt and Shahbaz Butt need to resign. No more Butt moments needed. Or massacres of innocent people.
If you Mr.Nawas Shareef so worried about the crises then you should have done some thing to stop the killings of innocent peoples of model town or atleast visit the families of those effected families but no you didnt!! cuz the only thing you care is about your family and the people who belongs to your gullu butt league. Allah ke lathi beawaz hoti hai.
go away, you are not needed. you are the reason why were are in this situation.
The nation and the civil society of Pakistan has put Imran Khan on the back foot by sending in a few bouncers. The First Bouncer: Parliament's resolve not to allow any unconstitutional change. The Second Bouncer: The legal fraternity's resolve to resist IK's demands. The Third Bouncer: The journalist's community's resolve to decry unconstitutional changes. Upshot: Imran has started ducking by agreeing to hold dialogue which he has been refusing adamantly. What a change. Is this new Pakistan?
The sharif brothers will not resign in my view. they want to loot and plunder the country for four more years after all.
Nawaz must resign and election comission must be revamped. Thats the only possible way to get out of this crisis. Fresh election under new election comission
His brother must resign. He has the blood of scores on his hands.
All the anti-democratic forces are gathering to somehow destabilize Pakistan from progress. IK, PAT etc. are using as MQM, PML (N), APN and PPP was used before against. The establishment and dictators wants power and chairs to rule the Nation and deepen the crisis to the death of Nation. For the last 66 years establishment and such institutions which are now behind the PTI and PAT are the hidden enemies of Pakistan. The whole Nation must be aware of such gamblers and their puppets. Long Long Live Democracy against dictatorship and corrupt establishment. Long Live MP.
History has proven that nothing is worse for Pakistan than when PMLN and PPP are in power. As for the political parties supporting NS, sure they would. 90% of them are corrupt and want the status quo. Afterall, God Forbid what would they do if an honest govt into power.
I will repeat what I commented earlier that if Mian Nawaz Sharif resigns and quits premiership then I say on my honor and oath that (a) Sky will not split apart (b) oceans will not dry up or for that matter (c) neither earth will stop rotating (d) nor sun will rise from east; so do not worry at all for the people and the country. Pakistan will not face any difficulty if you resign so why not to resign or say it clearly that I will not resign but then don't awe us that Pakistan will face problems if you are off the hook. Please educate me what are your apprehensions if you resign and which one could apply from (a) 2 (d). Truth is power is an addiction. Who enlightens me both from the government and opposition but do enlighten rather than ignoring me. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
PTi and Dr.qadri have to take final step .thier supporters will soon worn down . They need to capture all seats of government immediately or accept defeat and go home
How will crisis worsen or what magic wands does PM Nawaz have with him that will prevent the future crisis? Dharna and protetsts by IK has proven that this govt is very very weak. Infact weaker than that of Zardari's.
PM you did not bring in a single, i repeat a single reform. You are still carrying on with PPP's failed policies and yet you say "Crisis will deepen".
PM please leave in the national interest of the country. You have allegations of rigging in national elections, corruption and you did not even delivered in your first two terms. Now, even Session court has also ruled that FIR be registered against PM and CM. Please understand how embarassing it is for every Pakistani to say that FIR has been registered against my country's PM. Is that worth of any respect to the nation?????
You have had a really long political career as CM in Zia's era, 2 times PM and then ruled Punjab for 5 years with Zardari.
It is now time to leave with respect and dignity. I beleive you will be given a guard of honour upon resigning it better than being dragged by your own people on the streets.
Please leave. We will surely remember you in history books.
Don't worry the crisis would not deepen, stop lying to yourself and the country. How many more terms of PMLNonsene do we have to go through?
I agree with PM, although I, like million of other Pakistanis, have suffered at the hand of his policies. Yet, i do not think the process of change by using force is in benefit for this country. IK is setting a very dangerous precedent.
I have been unemployed for some time and I do have frustrations yet I will not vent it this way. I live in a low income area of NA-126, where Shafqat Mahmood was elected MNA. It has been a year and yet he has not visited this area once. A MNA has access to a very big fund for development projects and yet he has done nothing. Interestingly, half of our votes went to PTI. I am disappointed, really. So should i stage a sitin outside his house too?
IK's demands are mostly correct but PM's response, although belated, has put the government on a moral high ground.
Pakistan zinda baad.
Country is full of crisis because of PM stubbornness. Fair elections and selection of honest leadership is the right of Pakistanis. So please resign for country's larger interest.
PTI and TUQ protests have turned into "Gunda Gardi" which threatens the State. Mobs cannot be allowed to force changes. Both groups have no credibility left after what they done and said
No No Nope. just resign. Don't worry about the crisis. There are people who will take care of it. You don't worry. Just take a long long vacation. With all your family. Tahiti? Bali? Lots of good places out there. Just go. You have $1.8 billion [US] You can vacation anywhere.
To all the PTI, PAT, AML and PMLQ trolls. The so called fake PM has the support of the majority less only the people in dharnas which by even a generous estimate do not exceed 100k. This transalates into 0.0 something of total voters in last election. Both IK and TUQ are dancing to somebody's tunes and using undemocratic means to overthrow the government and yet your leaders call themselves champions of democracy. I voted PTI for both NA and PA in last elections by the way. PTI should really worry when your tabdeli razakars start losing faith. Yhe biggest reason for me was the language being used by IK. I thought he was bigger than that.
Don't flatter yourself Prime Minister! The Pakistani public would dearly love to see the back of you and your money grabbing cronies. Isn't 30 years of politics enough for you and your family? Your clearly Pakistan's version of Hosni Mubarak, and look what happened to him!
PM should not resign as long as he enjoys majority support of MNAs But the government is paralyzed; it is scared. and I do not understand why it is paralyzed. 40,000 people cannot hold an elected government hostage.Period.!
After 67 years of rule the ruling elite has become immune to public sentiments. The whole nation is on the streets and Still Nawaz insists on continuing. Have some shame and resign...
PM called selected journalists who he classified as senior journalists. In do not wish to live in Pak, where there is selective journalism, selective judicial system (1 for poor,1 for Nawaz sharif) and selective opportunities..
I'm up for a massive overhaul of the current system!!! Agree with the system Dr Qadri is proposing as his argument has great substance.
Everything would be happened good in the interest of Pakistan. InshALLAH.
Lolz. Is this a joke? A nation on the streets against a fake elected PM and he thinks crisis would deepen if he resigns. Believe me people will distribute sweets once you resign
Crisis for "you" would deepen, MR. fake PM
Yes, your family business crisis would definitely deepen if you resign. Please don't take such a step, I wouldn't be able to see your family go through bankruptcy if you are all held accountable.
Your Authority has been dented. For the sake of self respect , for the sake of proving it to the nation you have to resign , get the re-election done and if you are true nobody can stop you to come into Power again.